City Manager Pulls Grant from Commission Agenda After Resident Outcry
*KALAMAZOO, MI* — The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety will not receive a $1.25 million federal grant designed to fund 10 new police officers after city officials removed the proposal from the commission agenda amid concerns about immigration-related conditions.
City Manager Malcolm Hankins pulled the agenda item before Monday night's April 6 commission meeting, citing the need for additional review of long-term implications. The decision came after dozens of residents gathered at City Hall to speak against the funding.
"It also effectively means non-acceptance of the grant at this time," Hankins said.
The packed commission chambers broke into applause when the item was removed.
Thirty-Nine Conditions Attached to Federal Funding
The grant comes through the 2025 Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, Hiring Program from the U.S. Department of Justice. City documents show the award came with 39 conditions, including requirements to comply with federal laws, presidential memoranda and executive orders.
One condition requires the city to prohibit any restrictions on communication with federal immigration authorities. Another states that by accepting the award, the city affirms it does not operate programs relating to diversity, equity and inclusion that violate federal civil rights laws.
"The Trump administration is slipping its directives into unrelated grant opportunities," Vice Mayor Drew Duncan said. "They say you get $2 million for science and we get cooperation with ICE and you have to gut your DEI department."
Residents Fear Federal Overreach
Community members and advocacy groups thanked the commission for rejecting the funding, stating the conditions could force local police to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
NAACP Kalamazoo President Wendy Fields told commissioners the language was "stringent, highly detailed and subjective," and appeared to allow the federal government "broad authority to investigate or monitor citizens and non-citizen."
"It is impossible that the president knows more about how to police Kalamazoo than our own local police department," resident Vicki Vannis said. "The only reason for these requirements is to make KDPS an arm of his Gestapo-esque ICE raids."
The same grant had been up for consideration on March 2 but was removed from the agenda then as well.
"We came to the conclusion that the votes are not there and the language is problematic," Duncan said.
Department Chief Defends Current Policy
KDPS Chief David Boysen stated the department will not participate in immigration sweeps or physical apprehension for immigration violations. The department will only provide information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement if a person has been arrested on a criminal charge or is a suspect in a criminal investigation.
KDPS has had no communication or interaction with ICE regarding immigration operations in Kalamazoo, department spokesperson Zach Hamelton said in January.
"We certainly don't want to create more fear," Boysen said. "We certainly are not going to compromise on our values and policy."
Given the response to the potential grant, the department said it will likely pursue other funding opportunities.
Grant Would Have Funded 10 Officers for Three Years
The funding would have covered 75 percent of entry-level salaries and benefits for 10 new officers over three years. The city would have been required to retain those positions for at least one year after federal funding ended.
The total budget amendment requested of the commission was $1.52 million.
"It's happening all over the country," Hankins said.
The commission did not take further action on the item Monday night. Removing it from the agenda means the grant was not accepted, though it could potentially return for consideration at a future meeting.